With a record number of 213 companies displaying their latest products, DVD held at Millbrook on 27th and 28th June, saw a wider range of military vehicles, systems and equipment than ever before, confirming it as one of Europe’s leading service mobility events. Organised by DE&S, the annual stakeholder day for the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Specialist and Utility Vehicles Integrated Project Team (SUV IPT) is designed to bring together manufacturers, purchasers, specifiers and senior users, providing them with a unique opportunity to discuss, educate, learn about and experience the mobility systems that are increasingly critical to the success of the UK’s defence and emergency services.

Joining SUV IPT were Engineering Support Systems (ESS) IPT, returning after a successful debut last year, and General Support Vehicles (GSV) IPT, ensuring visitors could experience a wide variety of systems and vehicles. One new vehicle shown at DVD was the MoD’s MWMIK 4x4 weapons mounted patrol vehicle. 130 vehicles are currently being procured by SUV IPT and will be used to

support troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan, giving them more firepower and better range and mobility.

Welcoming the decision to purchase MWMIK, Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, said in his opening speech, “these vehicles are well armed, swift, agile and will boost our capability with some serious firepower. MoD and the Treasury have worked hard to get these powerful vehicles to our troops in quick time, and they will start going out to theatre early next year.”

Other vehicles such as Viking, Bulldog, Mastiff and Vector, which are all proving themselves well on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, were also in action. GSV IPT leader Alison Henry was particularly pleased to see the new MAN ERF support vehicle. A fleet of nearly 7,000 of these support vehicles, worth more than £1 billion over five years is currently being procured by the IPT. These are planned to start entering service later this year to improve the delivery of logistics material to the front line.